S. 578 Introduced Immigration

BEST Facilitation Act

A bill to pilot the use of image technician positions in the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office of Field Operations.

  1. Introduced
  2. Committee
  3. Passed Senate
  4. Passed House
  5. To President
  6. Became law
Sponsor Sen. Lankford, James [R-OK] Introduced February 13, 2025 Cosponsors 3 (1 R, 2 D) Latest action February 13, 2025

Summary

Border Enforcement, Security, and Trade Facilitation Act of 2025 or the BEST Facilitation Act
This bill establishes a pilot program for positions within U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to review inspection images of vehicles and cargo entering or exiting the United States.
Specifically, the bill establishes the position of image technician 1 within the CBP Office of Field Operations. An image technician must (1) review nonintrusive inspection images of vehicles and cargo entering or exiting the United States; (2) assess whether such vehicles and cargo contain contraband, illicit drugs, weapons, or persons seeking to unlawfully enter the United States; and (3) refer suspicious vehicles and cargo for further inspection by a CBP officer. These reviews must take place at one of five regional command centers established pursuant to this pilot program.
The bill also establishes the position of image technician 2 with additional responsibilities, including receiving and reporting intelligence to the National Targeting Center about techniques used by malign actors to transport contraband, illicit drugs, weapons, and persons seeking to unlawfully enter the United States.
Image technicians must be supervised by a supervisory CBP officer.
The bill establishes annual training requirements for both positions, including training on privacy and civil liberties and how to analyze inspection images.
This pilot program ends five years after the date of enactment of this bill. Individuals employed as image technicians at the end of the pilot program may transfer to comparable positions within CBP or the Department of Homeland Security. 

Summary by the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.

Congress.gov

Actions

  1. Feb 13, 2025 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
  2. Feb 13, 2025 Introduced in Senate

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